Hagans' bad day comes at bad time

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Monday, Dec. 10 2007

CINCINNATI — A gloomy Marques Hagans acknowledged that he fumbled his first
opportunity as a primary return man in the NFL. Twice, in fact.

"It could've gone a whole lot better," Hagans said Sunday after the Rams' 19-10
loss to the Bengals. "I wasn't nervous, just two bad plays. You're going to
have a bad game; I just didn't want it to be today."

Hagans was on duty because Dante Hall and Brandon Williams were out with ankle
injuries. Hagans, a second-year pro, fumbled a kickoff in the second quarter
that teammate Hanik Milligan recovered. Then Hagans coughed up a punt in the
fourth period, but the ball caromed out of bounds and the Rams retained
possession.

It appeared as if Hagans might have been hit early on the second bobble. "I
thought maybe a little bit; that's up to the referee to decide," he said. "I've
still got to hold on to the ball."

PLAY OF THE DAY With the Rams down 10-0 in the second quarter, running back
Steven Jackson barreled into the line, bounced outside and steamed down the
right sideline. Several Bengals tried to corral him, but Jackson warded them
off until he'd picked up 54 yards, the Rams' longest run of the season.

GAME BALLS Rams: LB Chris Draft (12 tackles). Bengals: RB Rudi Johnson (23
carries, 92 yards, 1 touchdown).

DRAFT CHOICE During a six-play span in Cincy's first drive of the second half,
Draft recorded five tackles. A busy Draft finished with a game-high 12,
according to the unofficial press box stats. "Busy, but not busy enough," said
Draft, who is filling in for Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee). "I made some plays, but I
should've made a couple more."

SACK HAPPY As he closed in on Bengals QB Carson Palmer, Rams defensive Eric
Moore was thinking, "Man, don't throw the ball, don't throw the ball." He
didn't, and Moore dropped Palmer for an 11-yard loss, the only sack of the day
and the first of Moore's three-year career. "The guard blocked down on the
tackle and let me go free. I was untouched," Moore explained.

CATCHING UP It took 12 games and nearly three quarters, but tight end Joe
Klopfenstein finally got his first reception of the season. It went for 1 yard.
"It's kind of a relief," said Klopfenstein, who had 20 catches last year as a
rookie. As the ball approached, he said he was thinking, "This might be my only
chance this year, so catch it."

HE SAID IT "To me, it was like a big-time college football game, except you've
got 11 guys on the other side of the ball that are all All-Americans." — Rams
QB Brock Berlin, on his first regular-season action in the NFL.

[laram0]

Hagan's had his chance and blew it. Thankfully we got the ball back on both plays.

[r8rh8rmike]

Hagan's had his chance and blew it. Thankfully we got the ball back on both plays.

Yep, he's not making a great case for himself. I really like the guy, but he's going to have to step it up when he gets his shots and prove he belongs on the team.

[laram0]

I had been asking myself why Brandon Williams was returning kicks and punts instead of Hagans. You know the old what is Linehan doing?...why isn't Hagans in there instead of Williams? Well I guess the Headcoach knew something I didn't...imagine that?

[RealRam]

Yep, he's not making a great case for himself. I really like the guy, but he's going to have to step it up when he gets his shots and prove he belongs on the team.

Hopefully he will get over it quickly and vindicate himself next weekend Vs. **yikes** the Packers. I like Hagans and am rooting for him as a play maker but, as you said, Mike, he's going to have to step it up.

[Keenum]

At least he didn't lose any of the fumbles, that would have been what mattered most.
Hagans has been great when called upon, I guess he was due a bad game. I hope he can continue to develop, especially at WR.